Cardinals state soccer final to be played Sunday

 Jacksonville will have to wait another day to play in its state soccer final.

The Cardinals' NCHSAA 3-A championship game with Charlotte Catholic was moved from Saturday to Sunday due to inclement weather. Kickoff will be 4 p.m. still at the Curtis and Jackie Dail Soccer Stadium on the campus of N.C. State University.

Admission is $8.

"I would rather have the field conditions be good Sunday, so I'm fine with it," Jacksonville coach Dave Miller said. "We will make adjustments, but changing the schedule is a little aggravating, but I understand why they are doing it."

Miller has looked at weather reports and he said the Raleigh area will likely get hit by heavy rain Friday night and into Saturday. The Cardinals practiced Friday and will again today.

"I don't like so much of the free time," Miller said. "At least when we are in school we have a semi-normal routine."

Jacksonville (25-3) comes in as the top 3-A seed from the Mideastern 3-A/4-A Conference and it looking for its second state crown after claiming the title in 2005 and ending as the runner-up the following season.

In its 15th state final, Charlotte Catholic (23-1-1) is the champion of the Queen City Conference is looking for its sixth championship and first since joining 3-A in 2005.

Meanwhile, the 1-A final between Topsail (16-5) and Albemarle (16-5-1) is slated for Sunday at 7 p.m.